Delta's Stories of Triumph (DST in the News)

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http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/a...01/1002/NEWS01

'What teaching is all about'

Christine Iwan
The Enquirer


One of Carolyn Ballard's students came to her Friday with a handmade card.

The student had pasted a newspaper blurb to some paper and surrounded it with a rainbow of colors. The paper reported that Ballard was named "Outstanding Community Person of the Year" by Battle Creek's A. Philip Randolph Institute.

"Way to go!!" reads the card, posted on the wall of her sixth-grade classroom. "Keep it up Mrs. Ballard."

For 15 years, Ballard has called Battle Creek home. And she's done more in that time than most people who have lived here twice that long.

Ballard is the program administrator for Inner-City Music Proving Arts Can Teach, or IMPACT, which teaches music and dance to youngsters who might not otherwise be able to afford lessons.

She serves as the chairwoman for the annual Music Ministry Workshop, held each July. She also is one of the directors and a soloist of the Second Baptist Church choir, coordinates the music for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and participates in many community organizations.

All this, and she teaches sixth grade at Territorial School.

"Carolyn is what teaching is all about," said Don Hoaglin, assistant principal at Territorial for Lakeview Middle Schools. "She puts kids first."

Ballard admits that education and music are her passions.

"I'm flattered because I don't do all the work for fame or fortune," Ballard said. "There's always a need for people to help with young people."

The A. Philip Randolph Institute, named for one of the greatest black labor leaders in American history, works every year in Battle Creek to register voters.

The organization's dinner this year will feature Deborah Thomas, a Detroit judge, and closing remarks by APRI National President Emeritus Norman Hill from Washington, D.C.

In addition to recognizing Ballard's contribution to the community, the organization will honor Deboraha L. Sallée, 20-year president of the local APRI, with an "Outstanding Adult Member Award" and La Joy McNutt with an "Outstanding Youth Member Award."

Christine Iwan covers regional news. She can be reached at 966-0684 or ciwan@battlecr.gannett.com.


Carolyn Ballard, singer, music administrator, middle school teacher at Lakeview Schools, will receive an award later this month.

A follow up editorial:
EDITORIAL
Teacher's world reaches far beyond classroom

When members of Battle Creek's A. Philip Randolph Institute honor their "Outstanding Community Person of the Year" on Saturday, they will be saluting someone who not only is a classroom teacher, but a community teacher.

That's because Carolyn Ballard's teaching career is not confined to her job as a sixth-grade teacher at Territorial School. As administrator for Inner-City Music Proving Arts Can Teach, Ballard is involved in teaching young people the value of music and dance in their lives. As chairwoman for the annual Music Ministry Workshop each summer, she helps teach children all the factors that go into performing. With her involvement in Second Baptist Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and other local organizations, she constantly serves as a mentor to young people.

Ballard exemplifies teaching not as a career, but as a life's calling. Our community is much richer because of it.